Burton's 'Batman' returns with Keaton and Basinger

Today's TV

December 30, 1996|By Chris Kaltenbach | Chris Kaltenbach,SUN STAFF

If you watch "Batman" on NBC tonight, keep this in mind: Adam West, who played the bat-guy in the '60s television series, really believes he should have starred in this film. Just try to imagine him in the role.

"Cosby" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- In a repeat from last month, Hilton has to explain to his wife why there's a nude woman in the bathroom. Good luck. CBS.

"Dangerous Minds" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Superteacher Louanne grapples with whether to tell James that he'll never make the basketball team a particularly galling situation, given that James has been working extra hard to pull up his grades and make himself eligible for the squad. Meanwhile, Cornelius falls in loves with a classmate, but his troubled past gets in the way. ABC.

"Batman" (8: 30 p.m.-11 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Director Tim Burton's sets and Jack Nicholson's Joker dominate this first movie version of the Caped Crusader re-tooled for the 1980s as the Dark Knight. Remember all the ruckus raised by Batman fans convinced Michael Keaton would make a mockery of their hero? He didn't; the movie turned out just fine, although it only barely resembles the Batman you grew up with in the '40s, '50s and '60s. Kim Basinger has a nice turn as love interest Vicki Vale, but everything pales next to Nicholson's demonic grin. NBC.

"Ink" (8: 30 p.m.-9 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- When Mike (Ted Danson) threatens to leave for another newspaper, editor Kate (Mary Steenburgen) offers his column to a rival reporter, Jack Stein. Name sound familiar? It should if you watched the CBS sitcom "Love and War," where he was played (as he is here) by Jay Thomas. Ain't crossovers wonderful (even if it is a repeat)? CBS.

"Get Shorty" (8 p.m.-10 p.m., Showtime) -- John Travolta is mob muscle who stumbles onto one heckuva truth: His life would make a great movie. So he goes to Hollywood to sell the idea and finds that he's more than a match for anything this make-believe town tries to throw at him; in short, he can get pretty much anything he wants here, including getting that movie made. The film's a riot, Travolta's performance magnetic and Gene Hackman's turn as a Hollywood sleazeball great.